Dear RHESSI Collaborators,

The level of solar activity is moderate. NOAA region 12470 has decayed over the past 24 hours. Yesterday's target region is now designated as NOAA 12472 and was first classified as an alpha/H-type sunspot group. This region now appears to have at least a beta magnetic class, with extensive trailing plage. In the past 24 hours, another region rotated over the South East limb and is designated as NOAA 12473. This region has grown since becoming visible and produced the largest flare since the last message (an M1.6 on 22-Dec-2015 at 03:15 UT). NOAA 12473 was initially classified as a beta/C-type sunspot group, but this should be revised to (at least) a D-type region as the leading and trailing spots each have mature penumbrae. More C-class activity is expected, with a good chance for additional low-to-mid M-class flares.

The position of NOAA 12473 on 22-Dec-2015 at 17:00 UT is:

S22E70, ( -850", -356" )

See http://www.SolarMonitor.org for images and http://solar.physics.montana.edu/max_millennium/ops/observing.shtml for a description of the current Max Millennium Observing Plan.

Regards,

Shaun Bloomfield (Trinity College Dublin)